Home > Duluth.Talk > Archives > 2006 > June > 13 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USOverheard: What we’re venting about
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
People love to vent if you give them the chance. Having a beer, standing in line at the grocery store, chatting at the park. This is some of what I’ve seen and heard over the last couple of weeks:
Trucks over six wheels shouldn’t be allowed on the road between 7-9 a.m. and 4-6 p.m. It’s ridiculous when a light turns red while the first truck in line is only halfway through the intersection. Line six or eight of them up in a row (with all the development in Gwinnett County, this is a common sight) and an already bad commute becomes miserable.
I saw a guy the other morning driving his car, talking on a cell phone, drinking coffee, smoking a cigarette AND picking his nose at the same time. Of course, he was going 20 mph below the speed limit while driving in the left lane.
Attention, Gwinnett County and City Governments: How about widening the roads and making them ready to accommodate new development BEFORE building everything? And no, just putting up a new traffic light doesn’t count.
Don’t get too cocky, Mets fans. I know y’all are excited, but the Braves haven’t won 14 in a row just because they were lucky. There’s a lot of baseball yet to play, and history is on our side.
Congratulations to the Gwinnett Gladiators, not only for this season, but also for all the seasons of excellence and entertainment that they have provided. So, when do you think Mayor Shirley Lassiter hits the late-night talk show circuit?
What is it about serving on the board of a homeowner’s association that transforms people from decent neighbors into tyrannical despots? If it’s the 15-minutes-of-fame thing, may I suggest taking a bubble gun to school? You’ll get more attention.
How do all these CEOs get away with stealing these corporate profits? What exactly do they do to earn it? Unless you’ve done something like, oh, cure cancer or AIDS, I have a hard time believing that anyone is worth that much. Maybe part of the problem is that you and I (the stockholders) really don’t get to make those decisions.
If you don’t like the candidates, if you don’t like your elected officials, don’t blame the lobbyists, don’t blame the political parties, and don’t blame the religious groups. Blame a society that doesn’t participate. A lobbyist’s dollar wouldn’t buy spit if people kept their politicians honest by keeping up with events. If you don’t vote, if you don’t educate yourself, then you get what you settle for. Judging by the statistics, that includes a lot of you.
It’s pronounced “NEW-clear,” not “NEW-q-lar.”
The larger the SUV, the greater the likelihood that there is only one person in it. And, have you ever noticed that they CRAWL over speed bumps? Come on, people, they are made for tough driving!
Got anything to get off your chest?
Permalink | Comments (26) | Post your comment | Categories: Bill Allen
Comments
By walter
June 16, 2006 07:55 AM | Link to this
When is Gwinnett going to get real mass transit? Run the trains up I-85 to Gwinnett Mall, Discover Mills Mall and Mall of Georgia. Geez in New York I used to ride almost 100 miles to NYC on the MTA trains. The old adage “it will bring undesirables to Gwinnett” just doesn’t fly anymore. Bring trains to Gwinnett County so we have a real alternative to sitting on the I-85 parking lot.
By KarenA
June 16, 2006 08:14 AM | Link to this
Einstein said the most important decision we have in our lives is to decide whether we live in a friendly universe or a hostile universe. From the amount of complaining and whining I hear every day, I think most people around me believe they live in a hostile world. I just wonder why they feel they need to share their misery with me… As my dad says, engage your brain before putting your mouth in gear!
By Jackie Caldwell
June 16, 2006 08:42 AM | Link to this
Please, POWERS that BE, repair the railroad crossing in Suwanee on Lawrencville Suwanee Rd.. It is SCARY !
By Jackie Caldwell
June 16, 2006 08:45 AM | Link to this
PLEASE, to the POWERS that BE, repair the railroad crossing in Suwanee, at Lawrenceville Suwanee Rd. It is getting SCARY !
By Mike Doster
June 16, 2006 09:25 AM | Link to this
Where are all the complaints about the pronuncuation of nuclear when that meathead Jimmy Carter pronounces it nukier? I guess he gets a free pass because he is soooo smart?
By CJ
June 16, 2006 09:28 AM | Link to this
I couldn’t agree more. I am 29 years old and lived in Gwinnett from the time I was born until I got married. When we married we bought a house in Jackson County. It took me a long time to get adjusted to the “sticks” and I missed the hustle of Gwinnett everyday. However, one thing I have to say for Jackson County is that they are building roads in advance of the onslaught of people moving here. The road construction was done long before the subdivisions were built. I still miss Gwinnett though. If traffic wasn’t crazy I would move back in a heartbeat!
By Todd
June 16, 2006 09:29 AM | Link to this
Amen Brother Bill. You’re various vents were right on the money. I especially agree with your statement that our society has very little interest in government. It’s so sad that Americans no nothing about their local government but can surely tell you who should win American Idol.
By Gavin McBrewer
June 16, 2006 10:15 AM | Link to this
I can’t find a political blog to write to so why not write here? The AJC is a disgrace to ATL. Just look at how they jump to Campbell’s defense, completely one-sided. Their headline is about Campbell’s “letter” from his mother, as if to say, “SEE ATLANTA!, He IS innocent!!!” When he was sentenced, all the paper could do was give his rebuttal and use the word “abomination” when referring to the verdict. They barely quoted the federal judge’s comments at all. The AJC headline was like saying, “Ex-Mayor wrongly convicted”. And look back at Al-Zarqawi being killed. The AJC headlines with “Al-Zarqawi Murdered” and then here’s the kicker; The very next line links to “family reacts”. Then they proceed to describe Al-Zarqawi’s brother and his poor 2 kids. Nevermind the fact that he sawed people’s heads off. Let’s trash the US military for killing a sweet man and father of 2. The AJC is trash and you are a traitor for reading it.
By red
June 16, 2006 10:17 AM | Link to this
By Fighting HOA Tyranny in Duluth
June 16, 2006 11:07 AM | Link to this
Bill wrote:
What is it about serving on the board of a homeowner’s association that transforms people from decent neighbors into tyrannical despots? If it’s the 15-minutes-of-fame thing, may I suggest taking a bubble gun to school? You’ll get more attention.
Bill, I agree with you on the one. In my Duluth community a young Nazi woman had secret meetings and planned an overthrow of the former very competent and caring HOA interim president by spreading lies and rumors.
The very competent interim president had been willing to step up to the plate after the first president (a very weak man who tells lots of lies and alienated many neighbors and vendors) had willingly stepped down.
Although, this jerk chose to step down on his own—he resented the interim president who was everything he wasn’t and he became very jealous and vindictive. This man worked with the current Nazi regime in spreading falsehoods and very hurtful allegations about the very competent and caring interim president.
Their evilness was the equivalent of making plans for an assassination, is what one homeowner, who went to one of their unauthorized meetings (prior to the overthrow), told me – a fellow homeowner, who did not care to attend this hate orgy.
This is a little community with about six dozen town homes and I think that HOAs in small communities are worse. Issues become personal vendettas against fellow neighbors.
Also, a lot of people on these HOAs lack business experience and people skills—and don’t really have a clue as to what boards should do or how to do it. They don’t realize that boards give direction; but are not necessarily involved in the day-to-day operations of the community. Let the vendors and others do their thing in peace.
Two other points most of the decent people don’t come to board meetings either because of the politics or they are too busy—and that leaves the board in the domain of usually a very few hostile and aggressive Nazi’s.
Also, a lot of the developers that run the boards prior to the homeowners taking over do not always leave the best tracks to follow.
By GCR
June 16, 2006 12:03 PM | Link to this
The post above me is right-on, the HOA Board situation in my neighborhood is exactly the same.
Especially the part about the decent people don’t come to the HOA meetings because of the politics or they are too busy. Perhaps these HOAs would have more volunteers if there was respect for people’s time - many, many things can be accomplished without people having to attend the meetings. Our HOA board holds this over people’s heads and it has really hurt them.
By flabberghasted
June 16, 2006 12:04 PM | Link to this
Okay, let’s assume that Bill Campbell’s mom gave him those “charitable” donations. Did she give him the money for hotel rooms to shack up with his “honeys” behind his wife’s back or did she give him a portion of her retirement or social security to gamble in Las Vegas. Either way, he shows that he shouldn’t have been running anyone’s government entity, taking money from his mom while making over $100,000 a year as mayor of Atlanta is pathetic.
By v vance
June 16, 2006 12:23 PM | Link to this
Gwinnett County Gov/commissioners do not have time to concern themselves with improving the roads because they have gone strip mall building mad! I guess the goal is one for every little corner available or every patch of land that does not have a building on it in the county even if they sit empty… which many of them do. Way to go Charles Bannister… or is Wayne Hill still around??
By Over It
June 16, 2006 12:34 PM | Link to this
The one vent that hit home with me is the HOA, or community management board members thinking that they are the rulers of the community. I’ve had more than my share of gripes with mine, to whom I pay $200 a month in condo fees. Now they want to charge me a $25 “deposit” to get a pool key, which is supposed to be covered in my condo fees. (We didn’t even get a chance to vote on it, it was imposed the day before the keys were given out. I discovered it when I tried to use my old key and the lock had been changed.) This is just the latest in a line of crapola they hare trying to slip over on us. And I’ve YET to see them spend any of that money on anything other than their high-priced lawyers’ salaries and for the Manager of the property’s salary. The residents are receiving NOTHING for their money. Anyone want to buy a condo, cheap?
By No pity
June 16, 2006 12:41 PM | Link to this
If anything, that so-called letter from Bill’s mother looked like something he wrote himself. I can see why his defense team didn’t present it as evidence. It’s wording made it sound like he wrote it a few weeks before his trial. “If you ever need proof”, etc. Why would she say that? It’s blantantly obvious. Why else would his attorneys not use it? They knew the prosecution would tear it apart.
By Grammar Cop
June 16, 2006 01:15 PM | Link to this
It’s pronounced NEW-KLEE-ER, not new-clear or new-que-ler.
By Sara
June 16, 2006 02:00 PM | Link to this
Bill Campbell for president!!!
…heh. Just kidding. He makes the Enron guys look like Boy Scouts. I met the guy back in ‘96 or so and did not like what I saw.
By Dave
June 16, 2006 02:00 PM | Link to this
HOA’s are just as good as the people that sit in the chairs. My last neightborhood HOA was so bad that no one voted. The president (a real jerk) was voted in by the current board members. This guy turned out to be a neo NAZI. He was so small minded all he did was travel the neighborhood looking for lawns that could use a trim just before the weekend. Horrible people make horrible HOA’s. Enough said.
By Susan
June 16, 2006 03:35 PM | Link to this
Gavin, Red - “the AJC is trash and you are a traitor for reading it” Just exactly what are you for blogging in the AJC? - Trash? You don’t like the AJC, move on to something else. I think you protest too much.
By Mike
June 16, 2006 04:05 PM | Link to this
Good Blog. Now that you mention it, What is the big deal about repealing the death tax?
By Fred Steinmiller
June 16, 2006 04:53 PM | Link to this
I would like to see punishment for traffic infractions to be six hours served in three sessions, of two hours each. To attened traffic school this to learn the rules and regulations, and how to drive on our nations highways. To be tolerant of others so we can all get along.
By Joe
June 16, 2006 05:15 PM | Link to this
It is Charles Bannister who is a good guy and will listen.
He decided to run for mayor of Lilburn to get pot holes fixed.
Shoot him an email and quit whining.
By vvance
June 19, 2006 09:32 AM | Link to this
Regarding Charles Bannister I have sent him emails and guess what doesn’t have an answer for me as a matter of fact he is not taking any resposiblity for all the new construction… didn’t seem to know alot about it..shouldn’t he be at least aware.. why don’t we just send all the strip mall and new shopping centers under construction to Lilburn.. you will definitely need more than pot hole fixing! I don’t consider smart building and not wasting land for redundant types of developement whining… let’s be the smart county when it comes to building not cheapen the landscape with empty strip malls.
By AmeriKo
June 19, 2006 03:18 PM | Link to this
Hey Susan…he is right you are wrong…shut-up
By James
June 19, 2006 03:24 PM | Link to this
My biggest complaint is when chain stores leave a shopping mall to move a mile or two down the road. This leaves big, ugly empty boxes all over Gwinnett County. Other stores don’t want to move into old stores, so they sit empty for years and years. Then the other stores in the shopping center end up going out of business or moving elsewhere because they can’t get enough business without the anchor store. It’s getting ridiculous and neither Wayne Hill nor Charles Bannister has done anything to stop it.
By v vance
June 19, 2006 05:23 PM | Link to this
James you are so right!